Eternity - The Most Spectacular Ice Show In The World

It’s easy to see why the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort’s Hot Ice show is described as ‘The Most Spectacular Ice Show in the World’.

This year’s production Eternity combines sport and theatre and showcases the best in class talent with high-tech special effects, nail-biting stunts and mesmerising hand-made costume.

As the light go down in the Ice Arena there’s an air of anticipation. The pulsating sound of drums in the distance gets louder and the excitement builds to fever pitch.

A trail of flames covers the ice and 32 world and Olympic class skaters from over 12 different countries take to the ice carrying flaming torches and Eternity - The Hot Ice Show has begun.

Hotter than ever this year its a fast, furious and an artistically creative masterpiece by producer and director Amanda Thompson.

Thompson has been directing Hot Ice for 29 years but the show started life in 1934 with a show that was called ‘Marina’ in what was then The Ice Drome, the world’s first purpose built ice theatre.

In 1936 Roy and Betty Callaway starred in the show. Betty went on to achieve fame when she coached Torvill and Dean to Olympic and World Championships.
The show has been staged every year since 1934, missing only one due to Covid and was staged even during the dark days of World War II when there was a cast of 50 skaters.

For the last 14 years the show has been choreographed by former World and Olympic skater Oula Jaaskelainen. This year Jaaskelainen has excelled himself and created technically perfect and visually mind-blowing choreography. Its dangerous, daring and challenging and pushes all the skating boundaries but at the same time its beautifully crafted.

Skaters tackle axel and triple jumps, spirals, toe loops, black flips, twizzles and spectacular throw jumps all with such amazing balletic dexterity and often at great speed.

Joining the cast 30 world class and Olympic skaters this year is Simon Prouix-Senecal who partnered ex-Love Islander Amber Davies on ITV’s Dancing on Ice earlier this year where they were placed fifth.

Eternity is a show with many moods with an originally composed score, special effects, creative lighting with the iconic illuminated staircase that dates back to 1959, suspended from the roof, dry ice and fire completing the picture.

This year is all about emotions that encapsulates theatre and art with stand out numbers including ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’ and a full company routine of ‘Bolero’.
But it’s the lavish costumes, created by Stageworks Worldwide the in-house team , some which are embellished with up to 11,000 hand jewelled rhinestones, sequins, fringing and feathers that will take your breath away as the cast slip seamlessly into their 17 costume changes.

Over the decades I have seen the content evolve from a corps de ballet on the stage, singers and actors doing live voice overs whilst the skaters mime. It is now high tech and has moved with the times but it was great to see the company perform the famous wheel that has inspired many young children, including myself, to get their skates on and sign up for lessons.

Photo: Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort’s Hot Ice show

Eternity runs at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Arena through to 7th September with matinee and evening performances daily except Sunday.